In the last two weeks, major changes have taken place within my company's managerial structure, changes resulting in unfortunate repercussions on my own position. Because I've learned from the experiences of others, I won't discuss it further, but that made it all the nicer when on Wednesday night, Luke and I took advantage of an engagement-inspired gift certificate to a snazzy restaurant downtown. We dined on appetizers, entrees, and desserts, and in between courses tried to talk about what we thought our life as a married couple will be like. I say "tried" because stuffing one's mouth with free bread and butter can put a damper on meaningful conversation.
However, I did a lot of thinking later, and it emphasized just how excited I am to get past this wedding planning and finally say "I do" to a man more wonderful than I ever could have imagined for myself in front of the people I love most. The moment our lips lock in our first post-marital kiss, we'll officially be a family.
Then it's on to the good stuff.
We'll spend a blissful three days at Niagara Falls and come home to find that my witty Web site has reached the eyes of a youthful, savvy agent with a keen eye for good grammar and an even better understanding of the human condition. She'll (of course such a person would have to be a woman) look beyond my smallish reading audience and realize that when placed on a platform for all the world to see, I will touch the hearts of millions. Millions!
With a twenty-thousand dollar tax-free book advance check nestled safely in my pocket, I will go back to my cubicle only to rescue my Wal-Mart floor lamp, grossly-out-of-date-for-Valentine's-Day Christmas tree, and framed picture of Luke in a sandhole at the beach. We'll use the advance to pay off our credit cards and the balance on my Cobalt, and with the last five bucks, we'll buy one of those "Get three cherries and win a million dollars!" cards, and oh my goodness, what are the odds, look, we've won! After paying off my student loans using only rolls of pennies (just to spite them, the money-hungry bastards), we will be completely debt-free and Luke will open the coffee shop he's always wanted while I stay at home and have a baby every year of my life until I'm forty-two.
But until then, lunch is over. Back to work.
I have that same dream. Except that it involves a much bigger advance, a quaint home on the coast with room for another dog or two, and Bradley Cooper.
Posted by: Lisa | January 27, 2006 at 04:32 PM
Dream... Ms Frema... Dream Big...
Posted by: Number Twelve | January 27, 2006 at 04:47 PM
Come on now. You know that Sallie Mae doesn't deserve for that coinage to be rolled. Let's just throw those pennies at them in handfuls instead.
Posted by: Luke | January 27, 2006 at 05:19 PM
Keep on speaking it...
Posted by: butterflygirl | January 27, 2006 at 07:26 PM
I was totally digging on your future plans...up until you mentioned something about a baby every year until you're 42. Now, that's just crazy talk.
Here's me hoping it will all come true.
(and the part about you and Luke becoming a family is so true. I am so thankful for my little familyl!)
Posted by: Isabel | January 27, 2006 at 11:48 PM
Yikes, I think that is 16 kids.
Posted by: Grandma of 17 | January 27, 2006 at 11:59 PM
Preach on sister! Can I jump on this band wagon with ya? Gimme just a few pennies to throw - I won't miss - I've got feelings about Sallie Mae as well.
So glad to hear you guys enjoyed a nice dinner, and in the future if you'd like to dine out you can leave us with your 16 children. We won't mind. :0)
Posted by: Lost a Sock | January 28, 2006 at 04:08 AM
Sally Mae is not that bad of a company, hey they gave you money so you could go to school. It wasn't free money, you have to pay it back. If you did not want to be in debt then you should have not went to school or signed the papers to get the money. If you leant someone so many thousands of dollars you would want it back to.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 29, 2006 at 02:56 PM
Obviously, Anonymous, you have never been transferred to sixteen people, three different phone numbers, two equally useless Web sites, and received less than stellar customer service via Sallie Mae, only to STILL have unanswered questions!
Posted by: Frema | January 30, 2006 at 11:28 AM
Hey Frema:
It's Molly's friend Cindy.
You go girl....Let me know how 15-20 some kids work for you. You would sure be "MOTHER" OF THE YEAR" and then some! :)
Posted by: Twins x two | January 30, 2006 at 12:10 PM
i can't wait to read about shopping for the girls dresses.
Posted by: auntie betty | January 30, 2006 at 01:25 PM
I want to hear what you ate for dinner at the restaurant. ;-)
Posted by: Liz | January 30, 2006 at 03:37 PM
Liz - If you check out Luke's latest "Are You Gonna Eat That?" entry, he gives all the sensory details there. :)
Posted by: Frema | January 30, 2006 at 04:09 PM
I love to imagine my life in the future & adding in a few of those perfect little "perks!" And in reference to Sallie Mae and to Anonymous, of course Sallie Mae wants their money back. HOWEVER, with as much interest they make on the millions of dollars we are all paying back they can afford to spend a little more of it on customer service ;o)
Posted by: Kayte Marie | January 30, 2006 at 04:11 PM
Mmmmm hmmmm girl...dreams are so much fun! ;) They CAN become a reality.
Posted by: Sambo V. | January 30, 2006 at 11:32 PM